Cop honored for rescuing teen from fire

Updated 9:17 pm, Monday, November 26, 2012

Photo: Ana Ley

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San Antonio Police Chief William McManus awards Officer German Huerta on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, with a certificate of merit after he reportedly rescued an 18-year-old girl from a burning vehicle on Saturday.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus awards Officer German Huerta on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, with a certificate of merit after he reportedly rescued an 18-year-old girl from a burning vehicle on Saturday.

Photo: Ana Ley

Cop honored for rescuing teen from fire

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Officer German Huerta had seen the car flip and burst into flames, and by the time he got to the teenager trapped inside, he had just one thought.

“I didn't want to see her burn alive,” Huerta said Monday after Police Chief William McManus presented him with a certificate of merit for the rescue. “I wasn't thinking too much. I just wanted to pull her out and make sure she was safe.”

The speeding car, driven by Sara Silva, 18, had cut in front of Huerta's patrol car as they traveled west on Loop 1604 near Judson Road about 4:45 a.m. Saturday, according to an incident report. Silva then lost control of her car, which crashed into the concrete barrier in the center median, rolled twice and landed upright.

When he saw the fire, Huerta said, instinct kicked in. He tried to douse it with an extinguisher, which he then used to break the passenger window so he could pull Silva out.

Silva could be charged with DWI pending the outcome of a toxicology report, police said.